Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-07-15

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gown OF clinging white stuff, with dus-
KY hair gathered in a loose knot on
the top OF her head, and dark, starry
eyes, standing at the door; he heard a
rustic Of sweeping skirts, then sweet
voice, and Hazel cordially shook.
hands, assured him how glad she was
to see him, and offered q chair, with
pretty motion of one white hand.
Self possessed and gracious, she made
poor Rob feel i'll at ease, and like such
a little boy, as he fingered the blue
felt hat he bought to please her, and
answered her questions in monosyl-
tables.
But when he rose to 60 he made a
desperate effort and begged her to say
''sood-by" in the old way. She flush.
ed in such dainty way, he thought,
then said: hurriedly:
II hoped you'd never allude to that
folly again. You were the first to tell
me that 1t wasn't quite good form,
and since then I have been grateful to
you for not taking advantage OF a
child's impulsiveness. think I have,
to d great extent, outgrown the old
impetuosity, and I fancy l shall new
er again be guilty of being the centre
OF such tableu as that at the depot
when left c." and she laughed at
the remembrance Of the scene which
Rob had cherished tender]y.
So they said good afternoon" calm
~ and quietly, and when Rob reached
| his hotel he packed his gripsack and
left the city with a sinking heart, re-
solved to put the face of the fair girl
| behind him, to work hard and forget
the pang CAUSED by her Indifference.
And as for Hazel, she went to her
room with a bright face, but sudden
| ly catching sight Of the little bracelet
| Rob had given her so long ago and
the worn pile OF letters, tied with a
faded blue ribbon, she threw herself
down on the bed and cried penitent
tears at the thought oiths honest lad
whom she had hurt so cruelty.
! 4 y X X
The papers were eagerly sought; all
over the school were anxious faces,
and more than one group was gather
ed in various corners, talking over
the latest bulletins. Fort Sumter
had been attacked. The war had
begun.
! kilograms were constantly being
delivered, for fathers and brothers
had enlisted, and daughters and Sis
tiers must bravely bid them farewell!
and God speed"
| Hazel had been the first to 90, for
popular sentiment turned against her
as a rebel, and she gladly went to selp
her father, who was mastering forces
and drilling recruits. Camp life suited
| him; in the field he seemed in his ele-
ment, and the prudent farmer became
a brilliant officer. Always foremost
IN the fight, he won respect even from
his enemies, who, while they admired
his fearlessness and energy, congratu-
lated themselves that there were very
few confederate generals like him.
| 1t was in one of the fie-cest struggles
of the civil war that he fell, fighting
brevely, killed by one we'll aimed
charge. When his body was brought
home, Hazel received the Borrowing
soldiers without a tear, and when
some one roughly accused her of
| heartlessness, she answered, with the
spirit OF g. true soldiers daughter:
IF papa had died ignobly I should
weep for the disgrace, but they tell me
he fell fighting, honored even by those
who struck him down. shall mourn
for my father, but he would have me
give up my soldier as bravely as he
gave his life.''
The weary months crept on Wait
Ing safely, far from the struggle, with
her aunt in the north, was out of the
question, and Hazel begged so hard to
be allowed to follow her own inclina-
tions, that permission was granted,
and she joined the little band OF help
full women who was going to nurse the
poor fellows dying for want OF proper
care.
In the hospital the dark eyed, pale
faced nurse soon became popular, for
shs was as strong as she was tender,
always willing to undergo all the hard
ships for the sake of the suffering sol.
diers.
She often found friends OF her faith
er among the wounded, and her eyes
grew bright as she listened to the
stories his admirers told OF his manly
courage and tender sympathy.
One day she was looking over the
list OF "Killed and Wounded in the
mornings paper, and saw the name
of Ma jor Robert D. Stevens among
the others.
AS she read there came q food of
old time recollections, memories half
forgotten, and then vague wonder
stole into her heart. Did her old
playmate remember her with the same
tender longing?
She thought of his call at the school.
She had dressed herself with care to
receive him, but she had seemed cold
and distant, and he had gone away.
She had only heard 1umors OF HIM
since. He mad begun the study of
medicine, and had gone into the office
OF g. celebrated old doctor in north
ern state, and during the war had gain
edhonors in the Federal army: and no W
she doubted not that he had forgot
ten her, as she had tried to put him
out of her mind. Her heart ached
| with an unaccustomed pain, and as
che went about her daily duties her
patients missed her attentive, SYM
pathy, for though she performed all
her tasks, she was preoccupied, busy
with her own thoughts.
Toward noon the doctor called her
and said: Il have a new patient for
you. He will need constant care, for
he is in a fever, and it will take good
nursing to bring him round" And
leading the way to his own private
Office he added, 1--WE got him in here,
| for the present. He was pupil Of
| mine, and feel great interest in
him" "a.
| The man turned restlessly on his
rough couch; his hagard face was
turned to the wall, the blue eyes
glanced vacantly about the room, and
the tawny hair was pushed back from